Mini Rapid Delivery Spool

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic enclosure includes a housing including a base and a cover that cooperatively define an interior region of the housing; and a cable spool assembly rotatably disposed in the interior region of the housing. The cable spool includes a drum portion; and a tray assembly engaged to the drum portion and configured to rotate in unison with the drum portion when the cable spool assembly is rotated relative to the base. The tray assembly includes at least a first tray. Each tray includes optical adapters disposed in a row along a first end of the tray. Certain types of trays are pivotal relative to the drum portion along a pivot axis extending generally parallel to the row of adapters along a second end of the tray opposite the first end. Other types of trays include a second row of optical adapters that pivot relative to the first row.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/578,960, filed Dec. 22, 2011, which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic enclosures includingrotatable cable spools at which one or more optical cables may bestored.

BACKGROUND

As demand for telecommunications increases, fiber optic networks arebeing extended in more and more areas. In facilities such as multipledwelling units, apartments, condominiums, businesses, etc., fiber opticenclosures are used to provide a subscriber access point to the fiberoptic network. These fiber optic enclosures are connected to the fiberoptic network through subscriber cables connected to a network hub.However, the length of subscriber cable needed between the fiber opticenclosure and the network hub varies depending upon the location of thefiber optic enclosure with respect to the network hub. As a result,there is a need for a fiber optic enclosure that can effectively managevarying lengths of subscriber cable.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic enclosuresincluding a cable spool assembly rotatably disposed in a housing. Thecable spool assembly includes a drum portion; and a tray assemblyengaged to the drum portion. The tray assembly includes at least a firsttray and is configured to rotate in unison with the drum portion whenthe cable spool assembly is rotated relative to the housing. Each trayincludes a plurality of optical adapters disposed in at least a firstrow along a first end of the tray.

In some implementations, each tray is pivotal along a pivot axisrelative to the drum portion and the pivot axis extends along a secondend of the tray opposite the respective first end. In certainimplementations, the pivot axis extends generally parallel to the row ofadapters.

In other implementations, the first tray includes a second row ofoptical adapters extending along the first end of the first tray. Thesecond row of optical adapters is pivotally connected to the first rowof optical adapters.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an example fiber optic enclosure suitablefor storing slack length of a fiber optic cable with a connectorized endof the cable extending outwardly from the enclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the example fiber optic enclosureand cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the example fiber optic enclosureand cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top, front perspective view of the example fiber opticenclosure and cable of FIG. 1 with a cover moved to an open position sothat a cable spool assembly is visible within the enclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top, front perspective view of the example fiber opticenclosure and cable of FIG. 1 with a first tray of the cable spoolassembly pivoted upwardly to provide access to a second tray inaccordance with aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the example fiber optic enclosure and cableof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cable spool assembly of FIG. 5 withboth trays pivoted partially upwardly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a drum portion of the cable spoolassembly of FIG. 7 with the drum components exploded outwardly from abase of the housing;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the drum portion of the cable spoolassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of one of the trays of the cable spoolassembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the tray of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the tray of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a top, rear perspective view of the cable spool assembly ofFIG. 7 with the top tray exploded outwardly from the drum;

FIG. 14 is a top rear perspective view of the cable spool assembly ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the cable spool assembly of FIG. 7with the first tray disposed in a raised position and the second traydisposed in a partially raised position;

FIG. 16 is a top, front perspective view of another example fiber opticenclosure including a drum suitable for storing slack length of a fiberoptic cable and a tray coupled to multiple rows of optical adapters; and

FIG. 17 is a top, front perspective view of the example fiber opticenclosure of FIG. 16 with a top row of adapters pivoted away from abottom row of adapters in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

In general, a fiber optic enclosure includes a storage spool from whicha first optical fiber cable may be deployed. The fiber optic enclosurealso includes a termination region at which multiple subscriber fibersmay be connected to fibers of the first optical fiber cable. Thetermination region is provided on one or more trays holding fanouts andfiber storage structures. The trays are carried by the storage spoolsuch that the trays rotate in unison with the storage spool relative tothe enclosure when cable is dispensed/deployed from the storage spool.Certain types of trays may be pivoted relative to each other. Certainother types of trays have fiber optic adapters that pivot relative toother fiber optic adapters of the trays.

In use, the fiber optic cable is wound around the storage spool anddisposed within the enclosure so that a free end of the cable isdisposed outside of the enclosure. Fibers of the cable are routed to oneor more termination regions and connectorized ends of the fibers areplugged into rear adapter ports at the termination regions. Theenclosure is deployed in the field.

A user pulls on a free end of the cable to unwind the cable from thespool and to pull the unwound length of cable out of the enclosurethrough a cable port. As the user pulls the cable, the cable causes thestorage spool to rotate relative to the enclosure. The terminationregions rotate in unison with the cable storage spool so that no strainis applied to the connectorized ends of the fibers of the fiber opticcable. The user continues pulling until a sufficient length of cable isdeployed and front adapter ports at the termination region are alignedwith subscriber cable ports of the enclosure.

When service is desired, the user opens the enclosure to access thetermination regions within the enclosure. The user routes subscriberfibers into the enclosure through subscriber cable pass-throughs andplugs connectorized ends of the subscriber fibers into the front adapterports at the termination region. The user may pivot some of the adaptersat the termination region to a raised position to facilitate access toother adapters at the termination region. When the subscriber fibers areconnected at the termination region, the user closes and optionallysecures the enclosure.

FIGS. 1-15 illustrate various views of an example fiber optic enclosure100 that is suitable for connecting at least a first optical cable to atleast one subscriber fiber as described above. In certainimplementations, the fiber optic enclosure 100 is suitable forconnecting the first optical cable to multiple subscriber cables. Incertain implementations, the fiber optic enclosure 100 is suitable forconnecting multiple optical cables to multiple subscriber cables. Incertain implementations, the fiber optic enclosure 100 also is suitablefor storing excess cable length of the first optical cable and forenabling selective payout of the first optical cable from the enclosure100.

The fiber optic enclosure 100 includes a housing having a top 101, abottom 102, a front 103, a rear 104, a first side 105, and a second side106. The enclosure 100 has a length L extending from the front 103 tothe rear 104 of the housing, a width W extending from the first side 105to the second side 106 of the housing, and a height H (FIG. 3) extendingfrom a top 101 to the bottom 102 of the housing.

In some implementations, the housing includes a base 110 and a cover 120that cooperate to define an interior 114 (FIG. 6). The base 110 definesthe bottom 102 of the housing and the cover 120 defines the top 101 ofthe housing. The cover 120 is pivotally coupled to the base 110 toenable the cover 120 to move relative to the base 110 between a closedposition (see FIGS. 1-3) and an open position (FIGS. 4-6). The cover 120inhibits access to the interior when in the closed position and allowsaccess to the interior when in the open position.

In certain implementations, the cover 120 is pivotally coupled to therear of the base 110. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, eachsidewall 113 of the base 110 includes a pivot hinge structure 117disposed at the rear 104 that receives a corresponding pivot hingestructure 123 disposed on the sidewalls 122 of the cover 120 at the rear104. In certain implementations, each sidewall 113 of the base 110 alsoincludes a latching structure 118 that cooperates with a stop 124disposed on the cover sidewalls 122 to hold the cover 120 in the openposition relative to the base 110 after the cover 120 has been moved tothe open position.

As shown in FIG. 8, the base 110 includes a rear wall 112 and opposingside walls 113 extending upwardly from a bottom surface 111. The front103 of the base 110 includes an entrance/exit wall arrangement 130defining one or more cable ports 132 through which subscriber cables mayextend. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 120 includes a rear wall and sidewalls 122 extending downwardly from a top surface 121. The entrance/exitwall arrangement 130 defines a majority of the front side 103 of theenclosure housing and the rear wall of the cover 120 defines a majorityof the rear side 104 of the enclosure housing.

In certain implementations, the sidewalls 113 of the base 110 are highertowards the front 103 of the enclosure housing and lower towards therear 104 of the housing. In certain implementations, the sidewalls 113taper downwardly from the front to the rear. In the example shown, thetaper occurs towards the front 103 of the enclosure 100. Accordingly,when the cover 120 is opened, the higher front portions of the sidewalls113 protect components at the front of the enclosure 100 (e.g., at theentrance/exit wall arrangement 130) and the lower intermediate and rearportions of the sidewalls 113 facilitate access to components disposedin the interior 114 of the enclosure 100.

In some implementations, the cover 120 can be secured in the closedposition relative to the base 110. In certain implementations, the base110 and the cover 120 define locking channels 115, 125 that align whenthe cover 120 is closed relative to the base 110. A fastener (e.g., ascrew) may be inserted through the locking channels 115, 125 to lock thecover 120 in the closed position. In other implementations, the cover120 may be latched to the base 110. In still other implementations, alock (e.g., a pad lock) may be inserted through the locking channels115, 125 to hold the cover 120 in the closed position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the entrance/exit wall arrangement 130defines subscriber cable ports 132 for the subscriber cables to enterand/or exit the enclosure 100. In the example shown, the entrance/exitwall arrangement 130 defines six subscriber cable ports 132 (i.e.,subscriber cable pass-throughs). In other implementations, theentrance/exit wall arrangement 130 may define a greater or lesser numberof subscriber ports 132. The entrance/exit wall arrangement 130 alsodefines a main cable port 133 (i.e., a main cable pass-through) throughwhich one or more optical cables 140 may pass (e.g., see FIG. 4). In theexample shown, the main cable port 133 is disposed at one end of thesubscriber cable ports 132.

In the example shown, the cable ports 132, 133 define elongated slots inthe front 103 of the enclosure 100 extending in a top-bottom direction.In some implementations, the subscriber cable ports 132 extend along aheight H1 and the main cable port 133 extends along a height H2 that islarger than H1. In the example shown, the main cable port 133 extendsalong a majority of the height H of the enclosure 100 and the subscriberports 132 extend along less than a majority of the height H of theenclosure 100. In other implementations, however, the subscriber ports132 may extend along a majority of the height H of the enclosure 100.

In certain implementations, a sealing arrangement is disposed at thecable ports 132, 133 to inhibit ingress of dirt, water, or othercontaminants into the enclosure 100. In the example shown, theentrance/exit wall arrangement 130 includes a first wall 131 spaced froma second wall 134 to provide a gap 135 in which a gasket or other sealmay be disposed. The gasket is formed from a flexible polymer or othersealing material that compresses against the subscriber fibers as thesubscriber fibers exit the enclosure 100. In certain implementations,the gasket also compresses against the first optical cable 140 as theoptical cable 140 passes through the port 133.

In some implementations, a guiding structure 136 is disposed at aninside of the entrance/exit wall arrangement 130 to lead the fiber opticcable 140 to the cable port 133 and to inhibit excessive bending of thefirst optical cable 140. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the guidingstructure 135 includes two curved surfaces that extend rearwardly andoutwardly from the rear of the second wall 134 on either side of theslot 133. In certain implementations, fiber guides also may be providedat the slots 132 for the subscriber fibers.

FIGS. 7-15 illustrate one example cable spool assembly 150 suitable foruse in the fiber optic enclosure 100 disclosed above. The example cablespool assembly 150 includes a drum portion 152 and a tray assembly 153mounted to the drum portion 152. The drum portion 152 includes a cablestorage spool 160 that rotatably mounts to the base 110 (see FIG. 8).The tray assembly 153 includes at least a first tray 154. In certainimplementations, the tray assembly 153 includes multiple trays. In theexample shown, the tray assembly 153 includes the first tray 154 and asecond tray 156. The tray assembly 153 is configured to rotate in unisonwith the drum portion 152 when the cable spool assembly 150 is rotatedrelative to the base 110.

A first end 141 of the cable 140 extends outwardly from the spool 160.When the cable spool assembly 150 is disposed in the fiber opticenclosure 100, the cable 140 passes through the cable port 133 so thatthe first end 141 is disposed outside the enclosure 100. In certainimplementations, the first end 141 of the cable 140 is terminated by afiber optic connector 145 (e.g., an LC-type connector, an SC-typeconnector, an LX.5-type connector, an MPO-type connector, etc.). Inother implementations, the first end 141 of the cable 140 may be leftunterminated. The cable 140 is deployed by pulling on the first end 141of the cable 140 to unwind the slack length 148 of the cable 140 fromthe spool 160. As the cable 140 is pulled, the spool 160 rotates withinthe enclosure 100 to unwind the cable 140.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the cable storage spool 160 includes abottom disc 161, a top disc 163, and a drum 162 extending therebetween.Excess length 148 of the first optical cable 140 may be wrapped aroundthe drum 162 between the first and second discs 161, 163. In certainimplementations, the drum 162 is sized to receive a spindle 116extending upwardly from the bottom surface 111 of the base 110. The drum162 of the spool 160 rotates about the spindle 116. In otherimplementations, the spool 160 otherwise rotatably mounts to the base110

In some implementations, the spool 160 is formed from a monolithic part.In other implementations, the spool 160 is assembled from multipleparts. In certain implementations, the top disc 163 defines a centralopening 164 and the drum 162 includes latching members 165 that camthrough the opening 164 from the bottom and latch to a top of the topdisc 163 to secure the cable storage spool 160 together. A securementmember 166 mounts over the opening 164 defined in the top disc 163 andmay be fastened to the spindle 116 to hold the storage spool 160 to thebase 110. For example, a fastener may be inserted through a hole 167defined in the securement member and into a hole defined in the spindle116.

The top disc 163 is structured and configured to enable a portion of thefirst optical cable 140 to be routed from the storage section of thespool 160, through the top disc 163, to at least the first tray 154. Asshown in FIG. 9, the top disc 163 defines a slot 167 disposed at aradially inward section of the top disc 163. The slot 167 extendsthrough the top disc 163. In some implementations, the slot 167 iscurved to generally follow an inner diameter of the top disc 163. Inother implementations, the slot 167 may have any desired shape. Slottedribs or tabs 168 also may be provided on the top surface of the top disc163 to aid in guiding the first optical cable 140 from the slot 167 tothe tray 170.

An anchor mount 190 extends upwardly from the top disc 163. In theexample shown, the anchor mount 190 is disposed at an outer radial edgeof the top disc 163 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In other implementations, theanchor mount 190 may be spaced inwardly from the outer radial edge. Theanchor mount 190 includes side walls 192 extending outwardly from a wall191. A reinforcing rib 195 may extend up a central portion of the wall191. Openings 193 are defined in the side walls 192 for receiving one ormore trays 170. The openings 193 on one of the side walls 192 align withthe openings 193 on the other side wall 192 to define pivot axes for thetrays 170 (e.g., see FIG. 15).

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate one example tray 170 suitable for mounting to theanchor mount 190. Each tray 170 is configured to hold an optical fiberfanout 155 and at least two fiber optic adapters 158. One or moreoptical fibers 149 of the first optical cable 140 are received at thetray 170 from the cable spool 160 as will be described in more detailherein. The optical fibers 149 are separated at the fanout 155 and eachoptical fiber 149 is routed to one of the fiber optic adapters 158. Aconnectorized end of each optical fiber 149 is plugged into a rear portof the respective fiber optic adapter 158.

The example tray 170 includes a base 171 having a first end 172 and anopposite second end 173. Sidewalls 174 extend upwardly from the base 171and between the first and second ends 172, 173. In the example shown,the side walls 174 curve inwardly at the second end 173 of the tray 170.The tray 170 has a fanout mounting section 175, a fiber storage section,and an adapter mounting section 179. In the example shown, the adaptermounting section 179 is disposed at the first end 172 of the tray 170and the fanout mounting section 175 is disposed at the second end 173.The cable storage section is disposed between the fanout mountingsection 175 and the adapter mounting section 179.

One or more optical fiber guides are provided at the fiber storagesection to guide optical fibers from the fanout mounting section 175 tothe adapter mounting section 179 and to store slack length therebetween.In the example shown, a fiber spool 176 and multiple bend radiuslimiters 177 are disposed at the fiber storage section. One or more tabs178 extend outwardly from the fiber spool 176 and/or the bend radiuslimiters 177. In the example shown, two bend radius limiters 177 aredisposed on either side of a central spool 176. In otherimplementations, however, the fiber storage section may include multiplespools 176 or a greater or fewer number of bend radius limiters 177.

A row of one or more fiber optic adapters 158 are mounted at the adaptermounting section 179. Each fiber optic adapter 158 has first and secondports. The first ports face outwardly from the first end 172 of the tray170 and the second ports face towards the second end 173 of the tray170. In the example shown in FIGS. 4-7, twelve fiber optic adapters 158are disposed at the adapter mounting section 179. In otherimplementations, a greater or lesser number of fiber optic adapters 158may be provided (e.g., two adapters, six adapters, eight adapters, tenadapters, sixteen adapters, twenty-four adapters, etc.).

In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, one or more flanges 189 definethe mounting structure at the adapter mounting section 179. As shown inFIGS. 4-7, two fiber optic adapters 158 may be mounted between adjacentflanges 189. In other implementations, a single adapter 158 may bedisposed between adjacent flanges. In still other implementations, theadapters 158 may be formed as a unitary part and secured to the tray 179at the adapter mounting section 179.

As shown in FIG. 13, a hinge member 180 is provided at the second end173 of the tray 170. The hinge member 180 includes pivot members 181that are configured to mount in the openings 193 of the anchor mount190. In the example shown, the hinge member 180 includes first andsecond pivot members 181 forming a pivot axis A_(P). In otherimplementations, the hinge member 180 may form a single pivot member 181that is sufficiently long to extend between both openings 193. In theexample shown, the hinge member 180 is disposed at a generally centralsection of the second end 173 of the tray 170. In other implementations,the hinge member 180 may be offset from the center.

In some implementations, a cable guide 183 is disposed at the second end173 of the tray 170. The cable guide 183 defines a channel through whichone or more optical fibers or fiber cables may pass when routed from thecable spool 160 to the tray 170. In the example shown, the cable guide183 is formed by three curved fingers. In other implementations, thecable guide 183 may be formed by a channel, a tube, tabs, or otherretaining structures. The cable guide 183 is spaced laterally from thehinge member 180 sufficient to allow the tray 170 to pivot relative tothe anchor mount 190 without interference from the cable guide 183.

The second end 173 of the tray 170 also defines a slot 184 through whichthe optical fibers or cable may enter the tray 170. The slot 184 isdefined at an opposite side of the hinge member 180 from the cable guide183. The cable guide 183 is disposed sufficiently close to the secondend 173 of the tray 170 and the hinge member 180 projects sufficientlyfar from the second end 173 of the tray 170 to enable the optical fibersor cable to pass between the second end 173 of the tray 170 and theanchor mount 190 when routed from the cable guide 183 to the slot 184(See FIG. 10).

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the anchor mount 190 includes a firstset of openings 193 a and a second set of openings 193 b. The second setof openings 193 b are spaced upwardly from the first set of openings 193a. A first tray 154 is mounted to the anchor mount 190 at the first setof openings 193 a. A second tray 156 is configured to be mounted to theanchor mount 190 at the second set of openings 193 b. The second tray156 is configured to be generally parallel to the first tray 154 whenboth trays 170 are in a first position.

Each tray 170 is configured to pivot about the pivot axis AP betweenraised and lowered positions. The base 171 of each tray 170 is generallyparallel to the top disc 163 of the cable spool 160 and the bottomsurface 111 of the base 110 when the tray 170 is in the lowered position(e.g., see FIG. 4). The base 171 of the top tray 154 is generallyperpendicular to the top disc 163 of the cable spool 160 and the bottomsurface 111 of the base 110 when the tray 154 is in the raised position(e.g., see FIGS. 5 and 15). The base 171 of the bottom tray 156 isangled (e.g., between 0° and 90°) relative to the top disc 163 of thecable spool 160 and the bottom surface 111 of the base 110 when the tray156 is in the raised position (e.g., see FIGS. 5 and 15).

The cable ports 132, 133 of the enclosure 100 are structured tofacilitate moving the trays 170 to the raised positions even after thesubscriber fibers have been routed into the enclosure and plugged intofront ports of the adapters 158. The cable ports 132, 133 are formed byslots in the front 103 of the enclosure housing 100. Accordingly, whenthe enclosure 100 is open and the top tray 156 is pivoted to the raisedposition, the subscriber fibers plugged into the adapters 158 of the toptray 156 may lift out of the slots 132 of the enclosure. Further, thesubscriber fibers may slide back into the slots 132 when the top tray156 is pivoted to the lowered position. The subscriber fibers pluggedinto the lower tray 156 may slide in and out of the slots 132 in asimilar manner.

In certain implementations, the anchor mount 190 is structured to allowthe lower tray 170 to pivot upwardly, but to inhibit the lower tray 154from pivoting too far towards the top tray 156. Allowing the bottom tray154 to pivot upwardly provides selective access to the top surface ofthe cable spool 160 (e.g., and optical fibers and cables routed acrossthe same) after the trays 170 are attached to the spool 160. In theexample shown, each side wall 192 of the anchor mount 190 defines anotch 194 that receives a top edge of the side wall 174 of the tray 170when the bottom tray 154 is moved to its raised position (see FIG. 15).The notch 194 accommodates limited movement of the bottom tray 154.

In some implementations, the trays 170 are configured to be locked,latched, or otherwise secured in the lowered position. For example, asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12, certain types of trays 170 include latches 185at a bottom of the tray 170 on one or both sides of the tray 170. In theexample shown, the latches 185 are disposed at a bottom of the first end172 of the tray 170. Each latch 185 defines an inner flexible hook 186.The latches 185 of the lower tray 154 are configured to secure tolatching structures 169 disposed at a top of the spool 160 (e.g., seeFIG. 13). In the example shown, the top disc 163 of the spool 160includes two latching structures 169.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each tray 170 also includes a secondlatching structure 187 at a top of the first end 172 of the tray 170.The second latching structure 187 includes a ramp and shoulder overwhich the latch member 185 of another tray 170 may cam and hook. Forexample, the latch member 185 of the top tray 156 of FIG. 13 isconfigured to snap over the second latching structure 187 of the bottomtray 154. The latch member 185 of the bottom tray 154 is configured tosnap over the latching structure 169 of the cable spool 160.

Since the latches 185 are flexible, a tray 170 secured in the loweredposition may be moved to the raised position by applying a minimal forceto the tray 170. Each tray 170 defines a finger gripping portion 188 atwhich a user may apply the force. In the example shown, the fingergripping portion 188 is defined by top and bottom recesses in thesidewall 174 of the tray 170. In other implementations, each tray 170may include a protruding grip section.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate another example implementation of anenclosure 200 that is suitable for connecting at least a first opticalcable to at least one subscriber fiber as described above. The enclosure200 houses a cable spool assembly 250. The enclosure 200 includes a base210 and a cover 220. The cover 220 is moveable (e.g., pivotable,rotatable, etc.) between open and closed positions. Labels 223 may bedisposed on an inner surface 221 of the cover 220. The base 210 andcover 220 may define locking openings 215, 225 through which a fasteneror lock may extend to hold the cover 220 in a closed position relativeto the base 210.

The base 210 includes a front portion 230 defining subscriber fiberports 232 and a main cable port 233. In certain implementations, theports 232, 233 define slots extending downwardly from the top of thebase 210 at the front of the base 210. In some implementations, eachsubscriber fiber port 232 is sized to receive a single optical fiber. Inother implementations, each subscriber fiber port 232 is sized toreceive multiple optical fibers. In the example shown, the main cableport 233 is longer than any of the subscriber fiber ports 232. In theexample shown, the front portion 230 defines twelve subscriber fiberports 232 and one main cable port 233. In other implementations, agreater or lesser number of subscriber ports 232 and/or main ports 233may be provided.

A gasket 239 or other sealing material may be provided at the frontportion 230 to seal the subscriber ports 232. In certainimplementations, the gasket also may seal the main cable port 233. Incertain implementations, the gasket 239 is disposed between two walls ofthe front portion 230. One example of a suitable gasket 239 is a slottedfoam wall. In the example shown, the locking opening 215 of the base 210extends through the gasket at the front portion 230.

The cable spool assembly 250 includes a drum portion 260 and a trayassembly 270 mounted to the drum portion 260. The drum portion 260includes a cable storage spool that rotatably mounts to the base 210.The cable storage spool is configured to receive excess length of anoptical fiber cable 240. One or more cables 240 may be deployed bypulling on a first end (e.g., a connectorized end 245 disposed outsideof the enclosure 200) of each cable 240 to unwind the slack length ofthe cable 240 from the spool 260. As the cable 240 is pulled, the spool260 rotates within the enclosure 200 to unwind the cable 240.

The tray assembly 270 includes a tray that is configured to rotate inunison with the drum portion 260 of the cable assembly 250 when thecable spool assembly 250 is rotated relative to the base 210. In theexample shown, the tray assembly 270 includes a single tray that isfixedly mounted to a top of the spool 260. The tray does not pivotrelative to the spool 260.

The tray has a first end and an opposite second end that both extendparallel to the front and rear walls of the enclosure 200. The first endof the tray is disposed closer to the front of the enclosure 200 and thesecond end of the tray is disposed closer to the rear of the enclosure200 when the cable spool assembly 250 is configured to connectsubscriber fibers to the main optical fiber cable 240. The tray isconfigured to receive optical fibers from the drum portion at the secondend of the tray. The tray also includes a termination region 280 atwhich two or more fiber optic adapters 158 are disposed.

In the example shown, the termination region 280 includes a first row282 of optical adapters 158 extending along the first end of the trayand a second row 284 of optical adapters 158 extending along the firstend of the tray. In the example shown, each row 282, 284 includes twelveoptical adapters 158. In other implementations, however, each row 282,284 may include a greater or lesser number of optical adapters 158.

The second row 284 of optical adapters 158 is pivotally connected to thefirst row 282 of optical adapters 158. The second row 284 of opticaladapters 158 is configured to pivot between lowered and raised positionsrelative to the first row 282 of optical adapters 158. For example, FIG.16 shows the second row 284 is the lowered position and FIG. 17 showsthe second row 284 is the raised position. When the second row 284 isdisposed in the lowered position, the front ports of the adapters 158 ofboth rows 282, 284 align with the subscriber fiber ports 232 at thefront portion 230 of the enclosure 200. Moving the second row 284 ofoptical adapters 158 to the raised position provides access to theoptical adapters 158 of the first row 282.

In certain implementations, the second row 284 is stacked on top of thefirst row 282. A first side of the second row 284 is pivotally coupledto a first side of the first row 282 so that an opposite second side ofthe second row 284 pivots away from an opposite second side of the firstrow 282 when the second row 284 is moved to the raised position. Thesecond row 284 is pivoted about an adapter pivot axis P2 defined by ahinge pin 283 that extends parallel to an insertion axis of the opticaladapters 158 of the first and second rows 282, 284. In certainimplementations, the adapter pivot axis P2 is generally orthogonal to afirst pivot axis P1 about which the cover 220 pivots relative to thebase 210 of the enclosure 200.

In certain implementations, the second row 284 of optical adapters 158is configured to latch to the first row 282 of optical adapters 158 tohold the second row 284 of optical adapters 158 in the lowered positionin which the first row 282 extends generally parallel to the second row284. In the example shown, the top row 284 of adapters 158 includes aflexible latching finger 286 that extends downwardly. The flexiblelatching fiber 286 is configured to engage a latching structure 287disposed on the first row 282 of adapters 158. In the example shown, theflexible latching finger 286 and the latching structure 287 are disposedat the second sides of the rows 282, 284, respectively.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood thatthe scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to theillustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic enclosure comprising: a housingincluding a base and a cover that cooperatively define an interiorregion of the housing; a cable spool assembly disposed in the interiorregion of the housing, the cable spool assembly being rotatably engagedto the base, the cable spool assembly including: a drum portion; and atray assembly engaged to the drum portion, the tray assembly includingat least a first tray, each tray of the tray assembly having a first endand an opposite second end, each tray including a plurality of opticaladapters disposed in a row along a first end of the tray, each traybeing pivotal along a pivot axis relative to the drum portion, the pivotaxis extending along a second end of the tray opposite the respectivefirst end, wherein the pivot axis extends generally parallel to the rowof adapters, the tray assembly being configured to rotate in unison withthe drum portion when the cable spool assembly is rotated relative tothe base.
 2. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, further comprising afiber optic distribution cable wrapped about the drum portion of thecable spool assembly.
 3. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, whereinthe tray assembly also includes a second tray that is pivotally coupledto the drum, the second tray being pivotal relative to the first tray.4. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 3, wherein the second tray isdisposed in a stacked configuration relative to the first tray.
 5. Thefiber optic enclosure of claim 1, wherein a hinge arrangement extendsupwardly from the drum, and wherein each tray of the tray assembly ispivotally mounted to the hinge arrangement.
 6. The fiber optic enclosureof claim 5, wherein the first tray is pivotally mounted to the hingearrangement at a first location and wherein a second tray is pivotallymounted to the hinge arrangement at a second location, wherein the firstlocation is disposed between the second location and the drum.
 7. Thefiber optic enclosure of claim 5, wherein the pivot axis of each tray isgenerally parallel to the pivot axis of each other tray of the trayassembly.
 8. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 1, wherein the drumincludes a spindle extending between two end flanges.
 9. The fiber opticenclosure of claim 1, wherein each tray includes a fanout disposed atthe second end of the tray, the fanout separating a respective opticalcable into connectorized optical fibers that plug into the adapters atthe first end of the tray.
 10. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 9,wherein the second end of each tray of the tray assembly defines a cableentrance through which the respective optical cable extends when routedfrom the drum and onto the tray.
 11. The fiber optic enclosure of claim2, wherein the housing defines sealed ports aligned with the opticaladapters of the tray assembly.
 12. The fiber optic enclosure of claim11, wherein the housing also defines an exit port through which thefiber optic distribution cable may be pulled to unwind the fiber opticdistribution cable from the drum portion of the cable spool assembly.13. A fiber optic enclosure comprising: a housing including a base and acover that cooperatively define an interior region of the housing; acable spool assembly disposed in the interior region of the housing, thecable spool assembly being rotatably engaged to the base, the cablespool assembly including: a drum portion; and a tray assembly engaged tothe drum portion, the tray assembly being configured to rotate in unisonwith the drum portion when the cable spool assembly is rotated relativeto the base, the tray assembly including: a tray having a first end andan opposite second end, the tray being configured to receive opticalfibers from the drum portion at the second end of the tray; and a firstrow of optical adapters extending along the first end of the tray; and asecond row of optical adapters extending along the first end of thefirst tray, the second row of optical adapters being pivotally connectedto the first row of optical adapters, the second row of optical adaptersbeing configured to pivot between lowered and raised positions relativeto the first row of optical adapters, the second row being pivoted aboutan adapter pivot axis that extends parallel to an insertion axis of theoptical adapters of the first and second rows.
 14. The fiber opticenclosure of claim 13, wherein the cover pivots along a first axisrelative to the base between open and closed positions, and wherein theadapter pivot axis is generally orthogonal to the first axis.
 15. Thefiber optic enclosure of claim 13, wherein the second row is stacked ontop of the first row, and wherein a first side of the second row ispivotally coupled to a first side of the first row so that an oppositesecond side of the second row pivots away from an opposite second sideof the first row when the second row is moved to the raised position.16. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 15, wherein the second row ofoptical adapters is configured to latch to the first row of opticaladapters to hold the second row of optical adapters in the loweredposition in which the first row extends generally parallel to the secondrow.
 17. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 16, wherein moving thesecond row of optical adapters to the raised position provides access tothe optical adapters of the first row.
 18. The fiber optic enclosure ofclaim 13, wherein each row of optical adapters includes twelve opticaladapters.
 19. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 13, wherein the housingdefines sealed ports aligned with the optical adapters of the trayassembly.
 20. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 19, wherein each of thesealed ports is configured to receive a plurality of optical fibers.